6 reasons why the Lions will make the playoffs in 2020

A Healthy Matthew Stafford

If the Detroit Lions are going to have any sort of a chance to make the playoffs in 2020, it will be behind the arm of quarterback Matthew Stafford. The Lions didn’t win a single game without him in 2019 after a back/hip injury forced him to miss half of last season.

Prior to his injury, Stafford was on an MVP-caliber pace. He threw for 2,499 yards, 19 touchdowns, and five interceptions in eight games. The Lions also started the season 2-0-1, with victories over the Los Angeles Chargers and Philadelphia Eagles.

In Week Four, Stafford and his Lions went toe-to-toe with the Kansas City Chiefs, losing on a last-second rushing touchdown to the eventual Super Bowl champs. This group proved they could play with the NFL’s best.

No one knows what the Lions could have been if Stafford hadn’t been sidelined in 2019. But the key to finding out what their playoff potential is for this season is keeping No. 9 healthy and under center. Without him, even with newly signed backup Chase Daniels, the Lions don’t stand a chance.

Stafford knows this. Detroit knows this. We believe both the player and the team will do everything they can to keep him under center. And that Stafford will be the tip of the spear that is the potential playoff resurgence in the Motor City.